Lysoleverywhere

While having a key made after losing my ONLY key I stumbled upon the solution to my pesky "stuck fuel door" issue. On my previous key, whenever I would disarm the alarm with the key, my mirrors and seat would return to an odd position. The positioning did not match my #1 or# 2 saved settings and I could never figure out how to prevent it from doing this EVERY time I unlocked the doors. Well, while having a new key made, Porsche calls me and tells me that they can't program my new key due to a piece in the alarm being corroded / wet / damaged. As I needed my car I told them to go ahead and replace the unit so I could get back on the road. $796.26 later I find out that this also solved my fuel door issue that I was having. See below for the highlights and photos.

Vehicle
2003 996 Turbo
6 Speed
70,000 miles

Issue: Fuel Door won't open
- electric pin won't retract when alarm is deactivated or door is unlocked.
- The little black pin is stuck in the lock position
Temporary Solution: Push down on the black pin and pull the door open with a little force. It bends the plastic pin just enough to open it.

Assumed Culprit: Fuel Door Actuator

Actual Culprit: Theft Control Unit

• FP Number: 996-618-262-03
• List Price: $383.14

Notes from Porsche: Alarm unit has been wet and is no longer functional. Remove driver seat. Remove alarm unit and replace. Code unit to vehicle.

ivangene

pricey key, but pesky problem solved

peavynation

Nice! Being an EE, I'd love to tear into that clapped out theft control unit.

Don't forget to post more about your venturi issue, Lysoleverywhere. I can't believe someone stole your busted one. That sucks, even though it was broke.

Lysoleverywhere

peavy, if you're interested in tinkering with this control unit, I can mail it to you.

Edgy01

thanks for the detailed report. This is precisely the sort of information that all Porsche owners need to share! thanks for paving the way. sorry it had to cost so much.

tnj100

Why not just use the manual release for the fuel door?

peavynation

That'd be very cool, Lysoleverywhere!

Anything I can learn from it I'll post on the site. Although, even with the sophisticated test equipment I have access to, these black boxes are getting blacker and blacker every day.
PM sent.

C4CRNA

My question is what got it wet? Was the car flooded?

Lysoleverywhere

no, but the corrosion could have come from a bad car wash. That box sits under the seat on the floor tray.